Thunder Maroon 8s enjoy an ice pop after their victory over Franklin Square Following a shutout victory last week over a strong Island Trees team, the Garden City Thunder 8 Maroon team posted their second straight shutout with a 12-0 win over a talented and big Franklin Square Warrior squad sunday.

This week's team captains: Liam Glynn, Sal Ingrassia and Aidan Griffin had the Maroon 8s ready for action early and on the first possession linebacker Kieran Paskewitz recovered a Warrior fumble and the Thunder game was on. Taking advantage of this early turnover, the Thunder offense went to work and after two bone jarring carries by Michael Liberopolous and Matt Desimplicis for gains, they scored on a 20 yard carry by quarterback Andrew DeSantis.

Franklin Square was forced to contend with the Thunder defense on the following possession -- and for the rest of the game. The Thunder "D" racked up numerous solo tackles to shut down the Warrior offense behind the line of scrimmage. Franklin Square was treated to a series of outstanding tackles by Patrick Leggett, Michael Liberopolous, Mark Michon, Sean Leggett, Tommy Siler, Liam Widdell, Will Honan and James Buckley and Aidan Griffin stole the show with 2 great open field tackles of his own at cornerback.

Aidan Griffin cuts back enroute to a 15 yard pick up. The Warriors could not blast directly through the Thunder defensive line and their fakes and reverses didn't fool the team - the Thunder held firm and successfully contained the running game. The Warriors tried going to the air but one pass was knocked down by Sal Ingrassia and one almost intercepted and that grounded the Warrior air show. This tireless defensive output continued into the second half of the game with a solid "D" line effort of Brian Greene, Kyle Steinbach and Joey Ostapow backed by powerhouse linebackers Cole Dutton and Kieran Paskewitz and supported by safeties Chris and Stephen Calouri.

The Thunder defensive power allowed the offensive unit to go to work. In the first half Kieran Paskewitz pounded out an extra-effort long yardage carry. This was matched later in the game by a similar extra-effort run down the right side by Aiden Griffin. Andew DeSantis also mirrored his earlier long carry scoring behind great blocks by Jack Dignam and Matt Flanagan.

Cole Dutton fires another pass right on target. The big gain offensive plays were sandwiched between grinding, shorter yard carries up-field by Will Honan, Jack Dignam, Matt Desimplicis, Sal Ingrassia and Sean Leggett. The charging backfield was protected by the rock solid wall of the offensive line (Matt Flanagan, Mark Michon, Conor Clarke, Liam Glynn and Stephen Calouri) which allowed such plays to successfully unfold.

The Thunder 8 Maroon team would like to thank all of their family, friends and fans for their support and give a Thunder special thanks to the volunteers who worked the chains and the box, who took team photographs and to those who worked to break down the field at the end of the game.

Kieran Paskewitz picks up a big gain. Andrew DeSantis breaks tackles enroute to a TD run. Behind solid blocking, Matt Desimplics looks for the hole.